Ecuador made headlines this past Sunday with the extradition of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, also known as “Fito,” to the United States. Macías, the leader of the violent Los Choneros gang, is accused of orchestrating a massive cocaine trafficking operation that funneled thousands of pounds of the drug into the U.S. His methods were brutal, relying on hitmen, bribery, and illicitly obtained military-grade weaponry to maintain control and dominance within the drug trade.
Macías’ criminal career took a significant turn last year when he successfully escaped from an Ecuadorian prison. However, his freedom was short-lived; he was recaptured in late June and subsequently extradited. In April, a U.S. Attorney in New York City indicted him on charges related to the large-scale cocaine importation scheme.
The Ecuadorian government, through the SNAI (the agency overseeing prisons), confirmed Macías’ removal from La Roca Detention Center, emphasizing the official nature of the extradition process. Images released by SNAI showed Macías under heavy guard, wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the potential threats associated with his apprehension.
His lawyer, Alexei Schacht, revealed that Macías will appear in a Brooklyn federal court on Monday, where he’s expected to plead not guilty. Following his court appearance, he will be held in a U.S. prison, the location of which is yet to be determined.
The extradition is particularly significant because it marks the first time an Ecuadorian citizen has been extradited directly from Ecuador to the U.S. While two other Ecuadorian drug traffickers have previously faced U.S. justice, their transfers were from Colombia, where they were arrested. This precedent-setting move underscores the growing cooperation between the U.S. and Ecuador in combating the international drug trade.
Los Choneros, the gang Macías led since 2020, has a long and violent history dating back to the 1990s. The indictment revealed the gang’s sophisticated operation, including the acquisition of firearms and ammunition from the U.S. and their collaboration with Mexican cartels to control key cocaine trafficking routes. Their methods were ruthless, with targets including law enforcement, politicians, lawyers, and innocent civilians who dared to oppose their activities.
Before his recapture, Macías had cultivated a notorious reputation within Ecuador, even achieving a cult-like following. While incarcerated in 2023, he released a video message to the Ecuadorian public, surrounded by armed men – a blatant display of power and defiance. Reports also indicated he threw lavish prison parties, enjoying access to alcohol and even hosting cockfights. His extradition marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against drug cartels and organized crime in the region.
